Rock a bye baby to lull our babies to sleep when the song is about putting our babies in a tree and the branch breaks and the cradle falls?
2006-11-12 08:27:41 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Other - Entertainment
I think it's more about the tune but you could alway change the words. Good question!
2006-11-12 09:49:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's true that the baby really only hears the lilt of the music and the love in your voice (we'll assume) - but as to the words...
They can be read as gently cautionary, or simply as the rather blunt attitudes of an older culture. Other nursery rhymes are equally 'violent' or non-PC, you know - look at the 'Three Blind Mice', 'Ding Dong Bell', and many others!
There are at least two variant interpretations of the origins/history of this rhyme, one claiming it to be based on the Native habit of hanging a 'papoose' board on a tree and letting the swaying of the wind rock the baby to sleep - the other coming from a particular British family who actually lived in a tree and hollowed out a branch to make a cradle for their infants... Personally, I find the first more credible!
http://www.rhymes.org.uk/rock_a_bye_baby.htm has details on both 'origins' and a note that the rhyme used to be called 'Hush-a-bye Baby'.
hope that helps,
bardmistress
2006-11-12 16:43:59 · answer #2 · answered by bardmistress 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I swear I was singing that song and was wodering why the lyrics were like that! I guess its saying that the cradle will fall but the baby would like float down and fall asleep.. Without getting hurt. More like comfort.
2006-11-12 16:37:09 · answer #3 · answered by Nellz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because we want them to FALL a sleep.
2006-11-12 16:30:24 · answer #4 · answered by LORD Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well why do people sing twinkle twinkle little star, jack and jill or humpty dumpty....because they are well known nursery rhymes...the child knows no different....if it gets them to sleep then your going to sing it....not like the child will understand
2006-11-12 16:41:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its just tradition replacemnts or songs like you are my sunshine
2006-11-12 17:32:54 · answer #6 · answered by College Educated 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's just a habit.it's been around for yrs. don't worry, our babies can't understand the words.
2006-11-12 16:53:58 · answer #7 · answered by naturegirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
becouse the kid can't understand entirely what you are saying. what matters is the flow, and how the words fit.
2006-11-12 16:31:42 · answer #8 · answered by M.I.A. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IT's TRADITIONAl Like every other usless clap trap, traditional has a lot to answer for you know.........
2006-11-12 16:38:42 · answer #9 · answered by jimmyfish 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its a traditional nursery rhyme. dont sing it if you dont like it
2006-11-12 16:30:45 · answer #10 · answered by CeKaye L 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋